Engineering Standard Electrical

EP 10 01 00 02 SP AERIAL LINE MAINTENANCE STANDARDS

Version 2.0

Issued May 2010

Owner: Approved by:

Chief Engineer Electrical Wilfred Leung Chief Engineer Electrical Authorised by: Wilfred Leung Chief Engineer Electrical

Disclaimer This document was prepared for use on the RailCorp Network only. RailCorp makes no warranties, express or implied, that compliance with the contents of this document shall be sufficient to ensure safe systems or work or operation. It is the document users sole responsibility to ensure that the copy of the document it is viewing is the current version of the document as in use by RailCorp. RailCorp accepts no liability whatsoever in relation to the use of this document by any party, and RailCorp excludes any liability which arises in any manner by the use of this document. Copyright The information in this document is protected by Copyright and no part of this document may be reproduced, altered, stored or transmitted by any person without the prior consent of RailCorp.

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Engineering Standard

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EP 10 01 00 02 SP

Document control
Version 2.0 Date May 2008 May 2010 Summary of change Last Technical Review Application of TMA 400 format

Contents
1 2 3 Introduction .............................................................................................................................3 References...............................................................................................................................3 2.1 Australian and International Standards .....................................................................3 Access and Right of Way .......................................................................................................3 3.1 Access .......................................................................................................................3 3.2 Right of Way (Easement)...........................................................................................3 Wood Pole Support.................................................................................................................3 Steel Support Pole or Structure ............................................................................................4 Pole Top ...................................................................................................................................4 Conductors ..............................................................................................................................5 Conductor Connections .........................................................................................................5 Conductor Accessories..........................................................................................................5 Guy Arrangements..................................................................................................................5 Signs.........................................................................................................................................6 Vegetation Clearance Maintenance Triggers and Risk Categories ................................................................................................................7

4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11

Appendix A

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Introduction
This document indicates those common conditions which should trigger corrective maintenance actions on aerial line equipment in order to ensure safety, reliability and/or prolong the life of the equipment. A complete preventative maintenance schedule is provided in the Technical Maintenance Plan - Aerial Lines. Version 1.0 of this document superseded EP 10 00 00 02 SP Transmission Line Maintenance Standards Version 1.0 dated June 1997. It complies with the requirements of the RailCorp Safety Management System at the time of issue.

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2.1

References
Australian and International Standards
Energy Networks Association publication ENA C(b)1, Guidelines for design and maintenance of overhead distribution and transmission Lines. Electricity Association of N.S.W. publication ISSC3, Guidelines for Tree Planting and Maintaining Safety Clearances Near Power Lines.

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3.1

Access and Right of Way

Access
Asset / Parameter General Condition Maintenance Trigger Any obstruction which restricts access etc.

3.2

Right of Way (Easement)

Asset / Parameter General Condition Maintenance Trigger Any obstruction which restricts access to the aerial line for the purpose of construction, safe operation, maintenance, renewal and replacement. Obstructions which may prevent access for vehicles and equipment through railway, public or private properties.

Wood Pole Support

Asset / Parameter General Condition Maintenance Trigger Eroded ground in immediate vicinity of foundation. Weakened or damaged pole. Excavation in close proximity of pole foundation. Signs of fungal growth. Signs of termite activity. (Treatment selected for fungal growth and termites shall provide protection commensurate with best industry practice. The treatment selected must be on the basis of the whole of life outcomes, including disposal of treated material).

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Pole Steps Pole Cap Pole Identification Earth Wire Cover Board Earth Electrode Vegetation

Loose or missing pole steps. Loose or missing pole cap. Missing or incorrect information on signs. Obscured information. Damaged or missing cover board. Broken, damaged or disconnected earth electrode. Encroachment of vegetation to within 1 metre of pole or vegetation which inhibits maintenance or access.

Steel Support Pole or Structure

Asset / Parameter General Condition Maintenance Trigger Ground erosion in vicinity of foundation. Weakened or damaged steel support. Excavation in close proximity of support foundation. Loose or missing structure steps. Missing or incorrect information on signs. Obscured information. Missing or incorrect information. Obscure sign information Broken or damaged earth strap. Broken connections at steel support and earth electrode. Broken, damaged or disconnected earth electrode. Soil and silt covering foundation and/or base of structure. Encroachment of vegetation to within 1 metre of pole or vegetation which inhibits maintenance or access.

Pole Steps Pole Identification

Steel Support Manufacturers Stamp Earth Strap Connection

Earth Electrode Foundation Vegetation

Pole Top
Asset / Parameter Insulators Maintenance Trigger Flashed over or broken insulators. Deep or pitted corrosion that is greater than 0.5 mm deep into the original metal surface of the insulator end fittings. Damaged or loose conductor ties. Deep or pitted corrosion that is greater than 0.5 mm deep into the original metal surface of the suspension envelope and components. Bent insulator pin. Deep or pitted corrosion that is greater than 0.5 mm deep into the original metal surface of the insulator pin, suspension eye bolt, clearance hanger or two piece crossarm clamp. Deep or pitted corrosion that is greater than 0.5 mm deep into the original metal surface of the snail clamp or terminating fittings. Lightning damaged preformed dead ends (wrap on). Timber degradation, splitting, rot, burnt or excessive bow. Crossarm slumped on pole. Buckled strut. Deep or pitted corrosion that is greater than 0.5 mm deep into the original metal surface of the crossarm attachments to pole.

Conductor Insulator Attachment

Insulator Attachment Arrangement

Conductor Terminating Arrangement

Cross Arms

Cross Arm Attachment to Pole

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Asset / Parameter Earth Wire Arrangement

Maintenance Trigger Deep or pitted corrosion that is greater than 0.5 mm deep into the original metal surface of the earth wire raiser bracket or earth wire stand off brackets. Earth wire stand off brackets loose in pole. Missing or loose earth wire attaching staples. Broken earth wire down lead or earth wire connection.

Conductors
Asset / Parameter General Condition Clearances Maintenance Trigger Signs of burning, stranding, annealing of conductors. Signs of fatigue at rigid points of attachment. Infringement of safe clearances to ground, other structures and other circuits. Infringement of safe clearances to vegetation. See Appendix A for risk categories and maintenance triggers. Dissimilar sags between conductors in the same span and circuit.

Sags

Conductor Connections
Asset / Parameter Splice Arrangements Feeder Connections Maintenance Trigger Signs of overheating, burning and annealing. Signs of overheating or burning. Deep or pitted corrosion that is greater than 0.5 mm deep into the original metal surface of the steel bolts and nuts.

Conductor Accessories
Asset / Parameter Vibration Dampers Aircraft Warning Markers Bird Flight Diverters Maintenance Trigger Missing, damaged or out of position. Missing, damaged, faded or out of position. Missing, damaged, faded or out of position.

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Guy Arrangements
Asset / Parameter Stay Pole Ground Anchor Maintenance Trigger See Section 0 or 3 as applicable. Excavation or erosion of ground in close proximity. Deep or pitted corrosion that is greater than 0.5 mm deep into the original metal surface or damage to anchor rod. Mechanical damage or stranding. Deep or pitted corrosion that is greater than 0.5 mm deep into the original metal surface of the stay wire and components. Soil covering stay wire. Degradation of timber beam or fibreglass insulator. Damaged fibreglass or porcelain loop strain insulator due to vandalism or lightning. Missing or damaged.

Stay (Guy) Wire Arrangement

Guy Insulator

Sight Board

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Asset / Parameter Earth Connection

Earth Wire Cover Board

Maintenance Trigger Missing, broken or damaged earth wire. Broken connections at stay wire/guy rod and earth electrode. Missing or damaged.

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Signs
Asset / Parameter Navigable Waters Warning Signs Access Road Direction Signs Maintenance Trigger Missing or damaged signs. Missing or incorrect information on signs. Obscured sign information. Missing or damaged signs. Obscured information.

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Appendix A
Voltage

Vegetation Clearance Maintenance Triggers and Risk Categories

Risk category Clearance at pole to nearest conductor in rest position 0 0.5m 0.5 1.0m 1.0 1.5m 0 0.5m 0 1.0m 1.0 1.5m 1.5 2.0m 0 0.5m 0 1.5m 1.5 2.25m 2.25 2.75m 0 1.0m 0 2.0m 2.0 3.0m 3.0 3.5m 0 0 0.5m 0.5 0.7m Clearance along middle 2/3 of span to nearest conductor in rest position 0 0.5m 0.5 1.0m 0 1.0 1.5m OR sag at 50 C plus 1.0m (which ever is greatest). 0 0.5m 0 1.0m 1.0 1.5m 1.5 2.0m OR sag at 500C plus 1.0m (which ever is greatest). 0 0.5m 0 1.5m 1.5 2.25m 0 2.25 2.75m OR sag at 50 C plus 1.0m (which ever is greatest). 0 1.0m 0 2.0m 2.0 3.0m 0 3.0 3.5m OR sag at 50 C plus 1.0m (which ever is greatest). 0 0 1.0m
0 1.0 1.5m OR sag at 50 C plus 1.0m (which ever is greatest).

Up to 1,000V

Greater than 1,000V up to 22kV

Greater than 22kV up to 66kV

Greater than 66kV up to 132kV

11kV Aerial Bundled Cable Screened and insulated Low Voltage service Lines

High All areas correct within 7 days Medium Correct within 4 weeks Low Correct within 3 months Emergency In public areas or bush fire risk Correct immediately November to March inclusive High All areas correct within 7 days Medium Correct within 4 weeks Low Correct within 3 months Emergency In public areas or bush fire risk Correct immediately November to March inclusive High All areas correct within 7 days Medium Correct within 4 weeks Low Correct within 3 months Emergency In public areas or bush fire risk Correct immediately November to March inclusive High All areas correct within 7 days Medium Correct within 4 weeks Low Correct within 3 months High > 16mm diameter branches resting, rubbing on cable Correct within 48 hours Medium 16mm diameter branches in clearing space Correct within 4 weeks Low Branches > than 16mm in clearing space Correct within 3 months

NOTE: During hot weather highly flammable gases are given off from most native trees and these gases can be easily ignited by contact between the conductor and trees. This consequence must be taken into account when assessing the category of clearance infringement. These clearances allow for fire hazard areas and for normal whip by trees in high winds. Additional allowances should be made for very slender trees. No limbs should be permitted to overhang the clearance space or any conductor in any fire hazard area.

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